Connecting corner for knock down racks

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to a connecting corner used in assembling metal rack frame enclosures for housing a variety of equipment. A completely assembled rack frame consists of eight connecting corners, three sets of variable length rails (four identically sized rails per set), and ninety-six fasteners. The connecting corner is made of metal. The connecting corner has three legs; base ( 10 ), leg ( 12 ), and leg ( 14 ) with three inner slots; slot ( 42 ), slot ( 44 ), and slot ( 46 ). Each slot accepts two-legged metal rail ( 58 ), with industry standard, consistently repetitive hole pattern; hole ( 60 ), hole ( 62 ), hole ( 64 ), and marker ( 66 ). Each slot is supported by double-sided overlapping tapered reinforcing ribs; rib ( 50 ), rib ( 52 ), and rib ( 54 ). Rail stop embossment ( 48 ) prevents rails in slot ( 42 ), slot ( 44 ), and slot ( 46 ) from making contact with each other. There are four counter sunk holes in each leg of connecting corner. Corner base ( 10 ) includes hole ( 16 ), hole ( 18 ), hole ( 20 ), hole ( 22 ), and supplemental threaded hole ( 24 ). Corner leg ( 12 ) includes hole ( 26 ), hole ( 28 ), hole ( 30 ), and hole ( 32 ). Corner leg ( 14 ) includes hole ( 34 ), hole ( 36 ), hole ( 38 ), and hole ( 40 ). These holes match up, and align, with holes in metal rail ( 58 ), and fasteners are used to secure each rail in place thus forming a completely assembled rack frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—KNOCK-DOWN RACKS

[0004] This invention relates to knocked-down racks, specifically tosuch racks that are used for housing electronic industry standard rackwidth equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Manufacturers supply the consumer marketplace with equipmentenclosures and equipment rack enclosures for housing equipment. Suchequipment enclosures and equipment rack enclosures are also supplied toprovide a reasonable structure for rack mountable industry standardelectronic equipment.

[0006] Currently, these enclosures are supplied fully assembled.However, consumers complain about the permanent characteristics of theassembled enclosure. These enclosures are not adjustable without greatdifficulty and the cost of shipping a fully assembled unit is expensive.

[0007] Thereafter, several types of enclosures were established thatcould ship knocked-down. These enclosures reduced freight costs but didnot address the issue of ease of assembly. It is necessary to include aspecial kind of tool or specialty hardware to assemble. Consequently,enclosure assembly takes a long time and the parts are cumbersome anddifficult to maneuver.

[0008] Knocked-down enclosures are easier to use and less expensive toship, but they do not possess the ease of assembly and simplicity ofdesign. These type of enclosures suffer from a number of disadvantages:

[0009] (a) The enclosure strength comes from the thickness of themanufactured materials making the unit heavier than need be. Additionalassembled parts provided for strength become unnecessary if addressedthrough effective design.

[0010] (b) The assortments of parts are many, cumbersome, and difficultto assemble.

[0011] (c) There is a limited standardized size selection in allthree-enclosure dimensions (width, depth and height).

[0012] (d) Limitations in size selections compel the consumer to customorder special sizes for simple racking applications.

[0013] (e) Custom orders take extended time to manufacture, cost more toproduce and deliver, and are easily incorrectly communicated andconsequently frequently delivered inaccurately.

[0014] (f) Incorrect custom orders must be returned to the manufacturefor credit and cost the consumer time and money. The process of waitingfor refunds, or credit to be issued, leaves the consumer frustrated, andin spite of everything the end result is no effective and operationalrack enclosure, and consequently no solution in sight for their initialpackaging problems.

BACKROUND OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0015] Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0016] (a) To provide a rack enclosure with extreme strength andstability rendered from the design and structure of a unique connectingcorner.

[0017] (b) To provide a connecting corner that allows for variable sizedsets of rails to form a basic rectangular frame structure.

[0018] (c) To provide a corner concept that allows for knockdown abilityand ease of assembly.

[0019] (d) To provide the consumer with many shapes, sizes, andconfigurations of rack enclosure using a specially designed connectingcorner.

[0020] Further objects and advantages are to provide a rack enclosurethat can be used easily and conveniently assembled and unassembledwithout damage to assembled parts. A simple and inexpensive item tomanufacture, which can be supplied separately, and used repeatedly, andwhich after assembly delivers to the consumer an extremely strong andreliable enclosure for housing industry standard equipment. Stillfurther objects and advantages will become apparent from ensuingdescriptions and drawings.

SUMMARY

[0021] In accordance with the present invention, a connecting corner isa three-sided metal corner with three slotted openings and speciallyposition assembly holes to secure various sized sets of rack rails,which form the basic structure of a rack frame enclosure.

DRAWING—FIGURES

[0022] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number butdifferent alphabetic suffixes.

[0023]FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrates various perspective views of aconnecting corner supplying a full outer view, and a detailed outerview.

[0024]FIGS. 2 and 2A illustrates perspective inner views of a connectingcorner.

[0025]FIG. 3 shows a linear view illustrating an industry standard rackrail, and detailing an industry standard incrementally repeating holepattern.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a completely assembly rack frameenclosure illustrating the connecting corners and their relationship toindustry standard rack rails.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0027]10 base 12 left outer leg

[0028]14 right outer leg 16 base left outer counter sunk hole

[0029]18 base left inner counter sunk hole 20 base right outer countersunk hole

[0030]22 base right inner counter sunk hole 24 base threaded hole

[0031]26 left leg outer counter sunk hole 28 left leg inner counter sunkhole

[0032]30 left leg upper counter sunk hole 32 left leg lower counter sunkhole

[0033]34 right leg outer counter sunk hole 36 right leg inner countersunk hole

[0034]38 right leg upper counter sunk hole 40 right leg lower countersunk hole

[0035]42 left leg rack rail entry slot 44 right leg rack rail entry slot

[0036]46 vertical leg rack rail entry slot 48 rail stop embossment

[0037]50 base tapered reinforcement rib 52 left leg taperedreinforcement rib

[0038]54 right leg tapered reinforcement rib 56 surface plating

[0039]58 rack rail 60 rack rail repeating hole pattern hole one

[0040]62 rack rail repeating hole pattern hole two 64 rack railrepeating hole pattern hole three

[0041]66 rack rail repeating pattern marker

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1 AND 1A—OUTER EMBODIMENT

[0042] An outer embodiment of the connecting corner of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (full outer view) and FIG. 1A(detailed outer view). The connecting corner has a solid body of uniformcross section consisting of a solid metal, which is formed or molded. Alayer of (black clad finish) plating 56 covers all the surfaces of thecorner. In the outer embodiment, the body is made of metal, such as castaluminum. However, the body can consist of any other material that canbe formed or molded without fracturing, such as aluminum, moldedplastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, rubber, variousimpregnated or fibrous materials, various plastic material, that canwithstand the stress and various weight factors.

[0043] Base 10 of connecting corner has counter sunk hole 16 and hole 18positioned to match up with holes in one surface of rack rail insertedin left leg rack rail entry slot 42. Counter sunk hole 20 and hole 22are positioned to match up with holes in one surface of rack railinserted in right leg rack rail entry slot 44. Threaded hole 24 ispositioned to accommodate other items, such as leveling feet, casters,and either anchoring or attaching other accessory items.

[0044] Left outer leg 12 has counter sunk hole 26 and hole 28 positionedto match up with holes in other surface of rack rail previously insertedinto slot 42. Counter sunk hole 30 and hole 32 are positioned to matchup with holes in one surface of rack rail inserted into vertical legrack rail entry slot 46.

[0045] Right outer leg 14 has counter sunk hole 34 and hole 36positioned to match up with holes in other surface of rack railpreviously inserted into slot 44. Counter sunk hole 38 and hole 40 arepositioned to match up with holes in other surface of rack railpreviously inserted into slot 46.

[0046] Connecting corner base 10 is typically 3.988 mm in thickness, andhas overall dimensions roughly from 78.6007 mm×78.6007 mm (squareshape). The outer edges of the corner are typically beveled or roundedto avoid snagging and personal injury.

[0047] Left leg 12 and right leg 14 of the corner are mirror images ofeach other. Each leg is typically 3.988 mm wall thickness, and hasoverall dimensions roughly from 78.6007 mm×50.80 mm (rectangular shape).Outer edges of each leg of the corner are typically beveled or roundedto avoid snagging and personal injury.

[0048]FIG. 2-3 Addition Embodiments

[0049] Additional Embodiments are shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, and FIG. 3.In FIG. 2 and FIG. 2A are views of the interior of the connecting cornerand in FIG. 3 a view of industry standard rack rail 58 detailing anindustry standard incrementally repeating hole pattern; hole 60, hole62, hole 64 and marker 66.

[0050] There are three rail entry slots; left leg rack rail entry slot42, right leg rack rail entry slot 44, and vertical leg rack rail entryslot 46. There are three tapered reinforcement ribs; base taperedreinforcement rib 50, left leg tapered reinforcement rib 52, and rightleg tapered reinforcement rib 54. Rail stop embossment 48 prevents rackrail inserted in slot 42 and rack rail inserted in slot 44 fromcontacting each other. Rail stop embossment 48 prevents rack railinserted in slot 46 from contacting rack rail inserted in slot 42 orrack rail inserted in slot 44.

[0051] Slot 42, and slot 44, and slot 46 have an open area and acceptrack rail where each leg has an equal dimension. The length of slot istypically one incremental industry standard hole pattern. Slot 42, slot44, and slot 46, channel rack rail in place and assist in aligning holesin rack rail with adjoining holes in corner.

[0052] Ribs 50, and rib 52, and rib 54 are rack rail reinforcementsupports, which contribute in distributing the payload equally.

[0053] Operation—FIG. 4

[0054] The manner of using the connecting corner begins by gatheringeight connecting corners and three rack rail sets (each rack rail setconsisting of 4 identically sized rack rails). One first positions fourcorners flat against a work surface, forming a square shape, largeenough to be able to slide two rack rails from rail set one (left toright direction) and two rack rails from rail set two (front to backdirection) into slot 42 and slot 44 of connecting corners. Next, matchup holes of rack rail 58 with holes in slot 42 and slot 44, and handtighten using screws forming the first of two rectangular frames.

[0055] Repeat the process in above paragraph using the other remainingfour corners and two remaining rack rails from rail set one, and tworemaining rack rails from rail set two. Match up holes of rack rail 58with holes in slot 42 and slot 44, and hand tighten using screws formingrectangular frame two.

[0056] Next, place fully assembled frame one flat against a worksurface. Place four rack rails from rail set three (top to bottomdirection) in slot 46 of all four corners of frame one.

[0057] Lastly, line up and insert rack rails extending from slot 46 offrame one into slot 46 of fully assembled frame two. Once all four railsof both frames are fully inserted and in position, match up holes inrack rails with holes in slot 46, and hand tighten screws completingassembly, which is now prepared and ready to accept installation ofvarious equipment.

[0058] Advantages

[0059] From the description above, a number of advantages of theconnecting corner become evident:

[0060] (a) The connecting corner is constructed to accommodate rackrails in varying sizes, from the very smallest, two increment, industrystandard repeating hole pattern, to the currently largest, forty-fiveincrement, repeating hole pattern. However, the ultimate size is limitedonly by the interest in manufacturing larger sizes due mainly tointegral strength concerns. However, the strength and design of theconnecting corner give rise to new possibilities and uses for largerrack rail sizes than those currently available.

[0061] (b) The knocked down feature allow parts to be shipped in smallerpackages. The Packaging can be configured straightforward therebyreducing shipping costs. Packaging for any size rack frame can be brokendown into four separate packages. A package containing eight connectingcorners and screws and three other packages containing the rack railsets. The three rack rail packages could be broken down so the firstpackage contains four identical (left to right) rack rails, the secondpackage contains four identical (front to back) rack rails, and thethird package contains four identical (top to bottom) rack rails. Eachpackage would be small enough to meet with the size and weightconstraints of all presently available parcel package shippers.

[0062] (c) A simple Phillips screwdriver is all one needs to completelyassemble a rack frame, there is no need for any unusual assembly toolsor specialty fasteners.

[0063] (d) Rack enclosures are available in industry standard width ofnineteen inches. Consequently, these currently available rack enclosuresare not designed to be able to accept different width equipment orapplications. In addition, knocked down and permanent rack enclosuresare available in a hand full of limited depths (front to back direction)sizes, and a hand full of limited heights (top to bottom direction)sizes. Furthermore, currently available rack enclosures are notadaptable or offer interchangeable parts. The connecting corner canaccept any combination of industry standard repeating hole patternincrements, of rack rail. The largest, standard sized, currentlyavailable rack rail consists of forty-five repeating hole patternincrements. Therefore, allowing for one increment per corner, forassembly purposes, there are forty-three different sizes available ineach of the three (left to right, front to back, and top to bottom)directions. Consequently, this amounts to 79,507 (seventy-nine thousand,five-hundred and seven) possible size variations. Accordingly, thisallows the consumer tens of thousands more sizes from which to choose.

[0064] (e) When two or more rack frames are of the same footprint (leftto right, and front to back), the hole placement pattern on theconnecting corner can be used to stack these assembled rack frames. Thethreaded hole in the connecting corners match up with each other, and byusing a ordinary bolt and nut combination, the connecting corners can befixed firmly together. Therefore, smaller and more manageable sized rackframes can be stacked and secured to fit any unusual height constraintsor requirements. Thus with access to forty-three rack rail heightvariations, the possible stackable rack frame combinations, can solveany height requirement challenge.

[0065] (f) When two or more rack frames are of the same dimension (frontto back, and top to bottom) the hole placement pattern on the connectingcorner can be used to group or connect these rack frames together,side-by-side. Match one corner hole from each of the rack frame cornersselected to be ganged together. Next, using an ordinary threaded rackscrew, from the inside of the chosen hole of the first rack framecorner, position all the way through, and into the other correspondinghole, of the second and adjacent rack frame corner. Lastly, secure bothcorners using an ordinary equivalent nut. There is no need for anyspecial tools or specially manufactured part to be able to connect twoor more rack frames to each other. With access to forty-three rack rail,incremental widths, depths, and height variations, the possiblecombinations of stacking and securing rack frames on top of each other,or ganging and securing rack frames next to each other is significant.

[0066] (g) The connecting corner permits the assembly of a cube shapedrack frame configuration by using equally sized sets of rack rails,which meet the industry standard nineteen-inch equipment widthrequirement. This provides for optimum versatility and access by beingable to load nineteen-inch wide electronic equipment in all six; leftand right, front and back, and top and bottom positions.

[0067] (h) The flexibility of the connecting corner is impressive. Acomputer workstation configuration can be established by stacking andsecuring two additional connecting corners to the top rear corners of anassembled rack frame and then affixing two vertical rack rails and twoshelves.

[0068] (i) The connecting corner accommodates up to currently 45increments of rack rail length. Therefore, a rack frame can beconstructed using the longest available standard lengths of rack rail tocreate a framework for a portable office structure, storage facility, orexhibition area by simply securing either solid panels, fabric ortextile materials to the assembled frame.

[0069] (j) Two rack frames can be used to form a left and right base,and by applying either a top of solid wood, or other material, convertthe rack frames into a desk, a counter, or a work surface.

[0070] (k) Other Application options include attaching items, such asdrawers and shelves.

[0071] (l) The threaded hole in the corner can be used to hang rackframes from a ceiling, or permanently attach to a fixed surface.

[0072] (m) Many options are available to enhance the overall usabilityof the rack frame structure. There are casters for mobility andportability, adjustable leveling feet for non-level surfaces,reinforcement braces to increase the weight handling capacity for heavyduty applications, handles, adjustable every increment, for ease inlifting fully loaded rack frames, shelves for partitioning or dividinginto sections or compartmental areas, using a variety of incrementallysized metal shelves.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

[0073] Accordingly, the reader will see that the connecting corner ofthe invention provides a highly flexible and versatile, lightweight andextremely durable, yet economical device that can be used by manyconsumers in a variety of markets and for multiple applications andconfigurations. The above description contains much specificity; butshould not be construed as limitations as to the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment instead.

[0074] Many other variations are possible. Case in point, the connectingcorner of the invention does not always need to be used in theconventional sense described in the above embodiment, always forming arectangular or square shaped frame. There can be unusual variations,such as, creating display configuration frames in a stair steppingfashion. An angular patterns in combination with corner, rail, corner,rail, forming a stair stepping progression and using the rails to createhanger poles or unusually shaped retail store display racks.

[0075] Vertical frames can be constructed and then connected to eachother forming a kiosk stand for mounting industry standard width plasmamonitors, visually advertising for example, a business videointroduction to a new product line. Additionally, the mounting of avisual plasma display on each of four vertical frames, creating an East,West, North and South visual panoramic view or constructing a wall ofrack frames and mounting informational display monitors, such as presentin airport terminals, for viewing arrival and departure scheduleinformation.

[0076] Other applications can be to hold clear plastic panels. Plasticpanels, such as Plexiglas, can be either secured to the holes in therack rail or simply positioned within the frame structure and held inplace by gravity. The rack frame can be hung from a ceiling to displayproducts, out of the consumers reach, either for security purposes, orjust for visual effect. Another application could be groups of rackframes ganged side-by-side and hung to hold theater stage lightingfixtures.

[0077] The connecting corners can be manufactured in a rainbow of colorsand reflective surfaces, such as neon and as exotic as chrome plated,and the corner can vary in size. The slots can be extended to accept twoincrements in size instead of just one. The reinforcement ribs can bereconfigured by thinning or thickening, altering the shape and size,while still acting effectively as support guides for the rack rails. Thematerials and material thickness used to construct the corner can be asvaried as need be, and either more or less, depending upon the intendedapplication, load requirement, or prospective structural requirements.

[0078] The connecting corner can be extended and by correspondinglyincreasing the maximum rack rail length, incrementally increase the sizeof the rack frame. Furthermore, the connecting corner has the additionaladvantages in that

[0079] it provides a fundamental structure to assemble thousands ofsizes of rack frame configurations along with any number of industrystandard rack frame sizes.

[0080] it allows the connecting corners and rack rails of a fullyassembled rack frame to be shipped knocked down significantly reducingthe packaging size and cost of shipping versus the costs of freightingone exceedingly large assembled frame package instead.

[0081] it permits the use of a simple Phillips screwdriver to assemblethe entire rack frame.

[0082] it provides for an original alternative to exceed the limitedsize assortment currently available by introducing an extremely simple,easy and exceptional solution.

[0083] it allows for the opportunity to stack rack frames as high as aroom height permits.

[0084] it allows for the opportunity to gang rack frames side-by-side asfar as a room opening permits.

[0085] it provides for a cubed configuration allowing for industrystandard nineteen inch width equipment to be mounted from every possibleposition (front, back, right, left, top and bottom).

[0086] it permits joining of an extension section, to an existing rackframe configuration, resulting in the creation of a completely new andunique work station configuration.

[0087] it permits unconventional rack frame sizes allowing for unusualstructural possibilities, such as framework for portable officestructures, storage facilities, and exhibition areas.

[0088] it provides for sectional or partitioned areas by using optionalshelf or drawer additions.

[0089] it allows for a threaded hole access to permanently install rackframes or groups of rack frames by hanging from a ceiling or anchoringto a floor.

[0090] it provides for access to attach additional optional items suchas, casters for portability and mobility, adjustable leveling feet fornon-level surface installations, reinforcements braces for increaseweight capacity requirements, incrementally adjustable handles for easein lifting fully loaded rack frames, and incrementally sized metal rackframe shelves to cordon off for compartmentalization purposes.

[0091] Although the description above contains many specifications,these should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of theinvention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presentlypreferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the connectingcorner can have other shapes, such as, circular, oval or oblong. Therack rail entry slots can have other shapes that complimentcorrespondingly shaped rack rails. The reinforcement rib can be replacedby a solid square or rectangular shape.

[0092] Thus the scope of the invention should be decided by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, rather that by the illustrationsgiven.

I claim:
 1. In a rack frame enclosure of the type comprising aconnecting corner element means that will surround, encase, and attach,sets of varying elongated rail members of equal length means for joiningsaid elongated rails to said connecting corners at spaced locations soas to be able to construct said rack frame enclosure whereby the use ofeight said connecting corner element means and three sets of saidvarying rails of equal length means providing a fully assembled rackframe enclosure in varying sized configurations.
 2. The corner of claim1 wherein said corner is composed of metal.
 3. The corner of claim 1wherein said corner is elongated on all three legs with a longitudinalslot, which is on each said leg of said corner and extends the length ofsaid leg from a rail stop embossment to the opposite edge.
 4. The cornerof claim 3 wherein said slot is formed to accept said rail and along thefull length of said leg.
 5. The corner of claim 1 wherein said corner iselongated and has a longitudinal slot, which is on the leg of saidcorner opposite to said one leg thereof and extends the length of saidleg, from said rail stop embossment to the opposite edge.
 6. The cornerof claim 1 wherein said corner is elongated and has three longitudinalslots which are on opposite legs of said corner and extend the length ofsaid legs, from said rail stop embossment to the opposite edge.
 7. Thecorner of claim 6 wherein the slot on said one leg of said corner isformed to accept said rail and along the full length of said leg.
 8. Thecorner of claim 1 wherein said corner has a black clad plating on allsurfaces.
 9. The corner of claim 8 wherein a slot is on one leg of saidcorner and extends the length of said leg, from said rail stopembossment to the opposite edge.
 10. The corner of claim 8 wherein threeslots, on opposite legs of said corner, extend the full length of saidlegs, from said rail stop embossment to the opposite edge.
 11. Thecorner of claim 10 wherein said slots are formed to accept said railsand along the full lengths of said legs respectively.
 12. The corner ofclaim 1 wherein said plating is colored.
 13. The corner of claim 1wherein said corner is elongated and has longitudinal slot withthrough-holes.
 14. A corner of the type comprising a body of materialhaving three slots, one on each leg thereof, a forming aperture adjacentto and communicating with said slot from a rail stop embossment,characterized in that all three of its legs have a plated surfacethereon.
 15. The corner of claim 14 wherein said body of material iscomposed of metal.
 16. The corner of claim 14 wherein said body iselongated and has a longitudinal slot on said one leg of said body andwhich extends the full length of said one leg, from said rail stopembossment to the opposite edge.
 17. The corner of claim 14 wherein saidbody is elongated and has a longitudinal slot which is on the leg ofsaid body opposite to said one leg thereof and extends the full lengthof said one leg, from said rail stop embossment to the opposite edge.18. The corner of claim 14 wherein said body is elongated and has threelongitudinal slots which are on opposite legs of said body and extendthe full lengths of said legs, from said rail stop embossment to theopposite edge.
 19. The corner of claim 14 wherein said body has a blackclad plating on all surfaces.
 20. The corner of claim 19 wherein a slotis in one leg of said body and extends the full length of said one leg,from the said rail stop embossment to the opposite edge.
 21. The coinerof claim 19 wherein three slots, on opposite legs of said body, extendthe full lengths of said legs, from said rail stop embossment to theopposite edge.
 22. The corner of claim 14 wherein said plating iscolored.
 23. The corner of claim 14 wherein said body is elongated andhas longitudinal slots with through-holes.
 24. A method of assembling arack frame enclosure, comprising: (a) providing a rack frame enclosureof the type comprising a three legged connecting corner body of materialhaving a longitudinal slot on each leg thereof, extending the fulllength of said leg, from said rail stop embossment adjacent to andcommunicating with said slot, and all surfaces plated, (b) providingsets of varying elongated industry standard rails of equal length andinserting said rails into said slots, (c) securing said varyingelongated rails into said slots so that it forms a secure connectionholding said rails from falling out of said slots, (d) inserting saidrails into said corners so that said holes in said rails align and matchup with said holes in said corner legs, from said rail stop embossment,whereby said rack frame enclosure can be easily assembled in varyingsized configurations.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein said cornerbody of material is composed of metal.
 26. The method of claim 24wherein said surface plating is colored.